Bammers

Alabama Basketball Fans | Remembering Luke Ratliff Nov 30, 2021

What it takes to be an Alabama basketball super fan, according to people who dedicate their lives year-round to supporting a historically successful program living in the shadow of football. Plus, a look back at the life and legacy of Alabama basketball super fan Luke Ratliff.

Guests:

Hunter Johnson, Die-hard Alabama fan you know from Twitter as BurnerLJohnson

Reagan Starner, owner R&R Cigars and friend of Luke Ratliff

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Cecil Hurt in 2018 Nov 24, 2021

Remembering the great Tuscaloosa News sports columnist Cecil Hurt, who passed away at 62. Featuring our 2018 conversation with him on a range of topics related to Alabama football, including his relationship with the Crimson Tide fan pass and his background and connection to the program.

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Growing Out of Alabama Football Nov 23, 2021

Does one lose the love for Alabama football? Despite the success and tradition, can the passion for it really just fade away? And what if you never cared about football at all?

-Guests:

Josh Bean, former AL.com sports writer/editor

Francesca Scalici, Birmingham resident who does not care about football

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Million Dollar Banned Nov 16, 2021

All on-field marching band performances were banned by the SEC in 2020, so an abbreviated Million Dollar Band played from the Bryant-Denny Stadium seats. We talk to the MDB director and a senior color guard member about the band's experience during the 2020 season, plus what makes the band such a vital part of the gameday experience. Also, a band alumnus on why the MDB had such a major impact on his life.

-Guests:

Ken Ozzello, Director of the Million Dollar Band

Jasmine Johnson, Million Dollar Band color guard

Craig Hamilton, Million Dollar Band alumnus

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Watching the Tide from Afar Nov 09, 2021

We can't all make it back home for an Alabama football game. And it's tough living so far away from all the winning. But it doesn't matter if you're working a job up in New York, serving overseas or whatever is keeping you from hopping in the car or on a plane to come watch the Tide roll in Bryant-Denny. People will manage. Transplant fans in other cities throughout the U.S. go to watch parties, alumni meetups and more to keep an eye on their beloved Crimson Tide when they can't make it home. Plus, an interview with the man behind the Alabama Pro Updates Twitter account.

-Guests:

John Graham, author of the Alabama Pro Updates account on Twitter

Chris Hollinger, New York-based UA graduate and Alabama fan

Rick Bragg, Pulitzer Prize-winning author

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Alabama Football's Economic Impact Nov 02, 2021

The loss of an Alabama football season would cost the Tuscaloosa economy about $200 million. During the 2020 season, Mayor Walt Maddox talked about the impact limited capacity and other restrictions would have on the city. AL.com's John Talty explains how the University of Alabama athletics department was affected. A Tuscaloosa business owner also discusses why football season is crucial to their success.

-Guests:

Walt Maddox, Tuscaloosa mayor

Marcia McKinley, co-owner of Big Bad Wolves (home of the famous BBQ nachos)

John Talty, AL.com sports editor

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Watching the Tide in Empty Stadiums Oct 26, 2021

Alabama limited Bryant-Denny Stadium's capacity to 20 percent during the 2020 national championship season, meaning about 20,000 fans would attend each home game. With so many COVID-19 restrictions in place, did the fans who attended the games still enjoy them the same way they would during a normal season?

Guests:

Hunter Johnson, Die-hard Alabama fan you know from Twitter as HunterLJohnson (or BurnerLJohnson)

Hannah Saad, UA journalism graduate and former photo editor for the campus student newspaper The Crimson White

Roger Myers, Alabama fan and season ticket holder.

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Is it Even Football without Tailgating? Oct 19, 2021

Due to the pandemic, the University of Alabama banned tailgating on campus for the 2020 season. No tents, no noise, no food -- nothing. A UA rep talks about what went into that decision, while fans discuss what an Alabama football season without tailgating looked like and why tailgating makes gameday so special in Tuscaloosa.

Guests:

Roger Myers, Alabama superfan and tailgating veteran

Nick Ferenz, University of Alabama Associate Director of Event Management

Ben Shewmake, Marine Corps veteran and president of the Campus Veterans Association.

Lacey Cencula, Die-hard fan and Bama Twitter personality from Birmingham

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Bammers NEW SEASON Trailer! Sep 01, 2021

Bammers is back! Host Ben Flanagan takes you into the hearts and minds of Alabama fans. We look back at the 2020 season, with the looming cloud of COVID, And go deeper into Crimson Tide fan culture than we've ever been before. Do you love Alabama football? Well then you'll love this. Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Tiger Woods Crashes the Iron Bowl / FOGs Nov 14, 2019

During a pivotal 2009 Iron Bowl in which Alabama's national title hopes were on the brink of elimination, the network broadcasting the game cut in to break news about Tiger Woods that would turn the sports world upside down -- not that Bama fans gave a damn. CBS anchor Tim Brando looks back on reporting the year's biggest sports story during one of the year's biggest games. Also, have you ever heard the term "FOG," as in "football-only Gump?" Guests: Tim Brando, Paul Finebaum, Ascot Friday, Hunter Johnson, Suzanne Robertson.

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Women who Love College Football Nov 05, 2019

Do women watch college football differently than men do? Do they even look at it through that prism of gender as they watch, enjoy and analyze? Guests: Laura Rutledge, Lacey Cencula, Elizabeth Lowder.

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Does Alabama Football Create Unity? Oct 28, 2019

The Crimson Tide certainly bring people together one Saturday at a time, and most people from all sorts of backgrounds share common ground. But is it fleeting? Does Bama football do a social good? Guests: Archie Wade, Tim Brando, John Doe, Isabelle Drewelow, Wendell Hudson, Tierney Jenkins.

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Hannah Brown's Gameday Routine / Playing Bear Bryant in Forrest Gump / Aubs Eat Boogers Oct 21, 2019

The Bachelorette herself, Hannah Brown, tells us about why she loves Alabama football and her surprising gameday routine when she was a student. Actor Sonny Shroyer on playing Bear Bryant in "Forrest Gump." The origin of the phrase "Aubs Eat Boogers" and how Auburn fans feel about it. Guests: Hannah Brown, Sonny Shroyer, Bob Weatherly, War Blogle.

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The Most Painful Iron Bowl Losses Oct 14, 2019

We ask Alabama superfans which Iron Bowl hurt the most between the Cam Newton comeback in 2010 and the Kick Six in 2013, and ask an Auburn fan which of those wins Tiger fans prefer. Guests: Hunter Johnson, Ascot Friday and War Blogle

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The Shula Years Oct 07, 2019

Alabama fans talk about what it was like to be a student during the Mike Shula era in Tuscaloosa. They talk about the ups and downs and compare it to the outrageous success of the Nick Saban era. And they discuss whether or not Mike Shula was taken for granted by fans at Alabama, considering the circumstances of his tenure. Guests: Ben Baxter, Drew Champlin, Will Nevin, Alesia Pruitt, David Smith, Matt Scalici, John Parker Wilson, Tim Tebow.

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Alabama's Homer Media Sep 30, 2019

Covering Alabama and when you were born here or attended the University of Alabama. How do you maintain objectivity? What is the relationship with the fan base? What if you don't care and let your fan flag fly? Guests: Ryan Fowler, Marq Burnett, Drew Champlin, Cecil Hurt, Hannah Stephens, Hunter Johnson, Ascot Friday.

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Gameday Fashion Sep 23, 2019

People do things a little differently on fall Saturdays in Tuscaloosa, including dressing up for Crimson Tide gamedays. Fans go the extra mile here, sometimes going more formal than anywhere else in the country from cocktail dresses to bow-ties. What makes a football game such a dressy occasion at the Capstone? Guests: Paul Finebaum, Laura Rutledge, Cecil Hurt, Rush Crawford, Hannah Adcox, Hunter Johnson, Lacey Cencula, Nick Rymer, Marq Burnett, Benjamin Smith.

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Life of an Alabama Superfan Sep 16, 2019

What does it take to be an Alabama football "superfan?" We look at the dedication required -- including the financial and social costs -- to spend nearly every waking minute of your life cheering on your beloved Crimson Tide. Guests: Ben Baxter, Nick Rymer, Hannah Stephens, Benjamin Smith, Ascot Friday.

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How Alabama Fans Cope with Losing Sep 09, 2019

The infrequency of losses at Alabama means that when they do lose, it hurts even more. How do fans typically cope with losing in the midst of the Nick Saban dynasty in Tuscaloosa? What is the psychology of that particular type of coping? Guests: Jonathan Fader, Hunter Johnson, Lacey Cencula, Cecil Hurt, Paul Finebaum, Ryan Fowler, Ascot Friday and Nick Rymer.

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Giving Up Alabama Football for God Sep 02, 2019

Have you ever prayed during an Alabama football game? Do you think you could give up the Crimson Tide in the name of God? This episode explores one Bama fan’s spiritual journey after he realized he was putting his love of football ahead of his Christian faith. Guests: Wesley James, Loren James, Kelvin Croom, Paul Finebaum, Ryan Fowler, Penny Ford.

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Alabama Fans Living in Auburn Aug 26, 2019

Can you think a worse place to live on Earth for an Alabama fan than Auburn? We find those who do so by choice and those whose professional lives leave them with none and how they cope with seeing orange and blue every day wake up. Guests: Danny Speigner, Chad Golden, War Blogle, Auburn Mayor Bill Ham Jr., Marq Burnett, Ryan Fowler.

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How Fans Saw the Georgia National Title Game Aug 19, 2019

Alabama’s incredible overtime win left fans catching their breath, so we asked a few who were in Mercedes-Benz Stadium to re-live the night just days after it happened. Through some animated stories and newly minted memories, they don’t disappoint in their recollections of how they saw the Tide capture their 17th and most exciting national title. Guests: Hunter Johnson, Lena Paradiso, Alesia Pruitt, Conrad Thompson.

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The RV People Aug 12, 2019

A look at the world of Alabama fans who travel to games via RV, which has become a popular subculture of the Crimson Tide faithful community. What attracts people to RV culture, and what is the cost of the lifestyle? Guests include fans who travel to Bama games in RVs and "Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer" author Warren St. John.

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What Alabama Players Think of the Fans Aug 05, 2019

Alabama fans who love their Crimson Tide should know the feeling is mutual. No fan base adores their team like Alabama. When you see and hear the most passionate fans in the country get loud, wave their arms and jump up and down, they do it in the name of helping their team win the game. But does it really work? And what do Alabama players really think of Alabama fans? Guests: John Parker Wilson, Alabama football players

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Why Do the Media Hate Alabama? Jul 29, 2019

There is a strong media bias against their favorite team in the minds of some fans, but is that only because they don’t always hear what they want to from sports broadcasters who are paid to share their opinions, even if they’re critical of a given team? We dive into the fan perception of a national media bias against Alabama and try to understand how that might affect the members of the sports media who remain targets of that fan criticism. Guests: Tim Brando, Paul Finebaum, Dan Wolken, Richard Deitsch.

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What Everyone Else Thinks of Alabama Fans Jul 22, 2019

Alabama fans have a tendency to let the world know what they think of themselves and their favorite football team. And they’ll let rival fan bases know how they feel about those programs and their fans. But what does the outside world think of the Alabama football fan base? We talked to some “outsiders” like Tim Brando, Adam Kramer, Dan Wolken and Paul Finebaum about what the rest of the world thinks of the Crimson Tide faithful.

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Sidewalk Alumni Jul 22, 2019

Can you cheer for Alabama even if you didn’t attend the school? Some snarks feel that way and use the would-be stigma against some of the Crimson Tide’s most passionate and loyal fan base. But they don’t let that deter their spirit. Paul Finebaum, Tim Brando, Laura Rutledge, Ryan Fowler and others discuss the dismissive attitude towards "sidewalk alumni." Famed Finebaum caller Legend, the self-proclaimed president of the Alabama sidewalk alumni, tells his fan story.

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World of Alabama Football Jul 22, 2019

A look at Alabama football as a global brand and people from outside of the U.S. who immigrated to the country, settled here and embraced Alabama football culture. Paul Finebaum, Laura Rutledge, Marcus Spears, Cecil Hurt and Marq Burnett talk about the worldwide appeal from the Crimson Tide. Fans from Egypt, France, Japan, Scotland and Taiwan explain why they fell in love with Bama.

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No Fall Weddings Jul 22, 2019

Alabama fans about scheduling their weddings during Alabama’s bye week to avoid any conflicts with gamedays during the season. A Tuscaloosa pastor talks about scheduling a wedding around football season and what that might say about Alabama fan culture.

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Bammers Trailer Jul 08, 2019

Step inside the minds of Alabama football fans, including their obsession with the Crimson Tide and the lengths at which they'll go with their fandom. The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat. Host Ben Flanagan takes a look at Sidewalk Alumni, immigrants who love the Tide, gameday weddings, Bama fans who live in Auburn and so much more. With people like Paul Finebaum, Tim Brando, Laura Rutledge, Marcus Spears and Alabama football fans across the world.

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